Watermelon is a very large berry beloved by children and adults, the season of which begins in mid–August. Watermelon contains, in addition to a huge amount of water (95%), easily digestible carbohydrates and trace elements, especially useful for the heart and muscles – potassium and magnesium. Due to its composition, watermelon saturates and quenches thirst well, gently weakens stools, and has diuretic and choleretic effects. According to nutritionists, watermelon can be introduced into a child's diet at the age of about a year in an amount of no more than 100 grams per day. Don't forget to remove the bones from it.
Melon is another popular melon crop. It contains carotene, folic, nicotinic and ascorbic acids, vitamins E, C, B2 and B6, potassium, iron, silicon, and therefore melon has long been used in folk medicine to treat various pathologies of the cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems. It is sweet and fragrant, and children enjoy eating it. In terms of calories, melon surpasses watermelon. It is possible to treat children with it, like watermelon, from the age of one year, giving no more than 50 grams per day, carefully monitoring the reaction of the intestinal tract. Traditionally, melon is recommended not to combine with other foods.
Certain precautions should be taken when choosing watermelons and melons. It makes sense to buy melons no earlier than the middle of August, when they reach ripeness naturally. Ripe watermelon has a shiny peel, the stem is dry and elastic. On the cut, the fruit should be evenly colored, the "veins" are white, there are few of them.
It is well known that fruits can contain nitrates, which are used to fertilize melons to accelerate the ripening of the crop. In the human body, nitrates turn into nitrites, which in turn can cause poisoning and the formation of methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that is unable to carry oxygen. This has a particularly negative effect on young children. The dose of nitrates, which can cause poisoning in children, is much lower than for adults. In watermelons and melons, nitrates are concentrated in the area of the peel, so it is better to give the child only the core. There is a device that allows you to determine the nitrate content in products at home.
It is better to avoid buying fruit from cars along the trails. It is recommended to check the product certificate when purchasing. It should indicate the place where the watermelon or melon was brought from, the date of its collection and delivery. Refrain from cutting watermelon when buying, as this way you can introduce infection into the product. Store sliced watermelon or melon in the refrigerator for no more than a day.
Enjoy your meal and be healthy.
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